Rain against the window, a cancelled walk, and children who have already worked through the board games. A basket of pine cones gathered on a drier afternoon is one of the best wet-weekend resources going: free, plentiful and genuinely satisfying to work with. The eight projects below use things you almost certainly already have in the house, from string and wax to spices and wool offcuts. Most take under an hour. None needs a trip to a craft shop, and if one goes wrong you have lost an afternoon rather than a tenner.
Start here: drying and cleaning foraged cones
The difference between a cone that takes paint and glue neatly and one that drops resin on the tablecloth is preparation. In damp weather, cones close up tightly and stay shut until they dry out, so give them time before you start making anything.
- Collect fallen cones only. Leave the ones still attached to the tree, and don't empty a squirrel's cache. A basket or cotton bag is better than a plastic bag, which makes damp cones sweat.
- Check the rules. Many nature reserves, country parks and National Trust sites ask visitors not to remove anything, even fallen cones. Gardens, allotment edges and parks where collecting is allowed are safer bets.
- Dry them spread out on newspaper in a warm room for several days, turning them occasionally. A pile of cones will go mouldy in the middle, so give each one some air. You will see the scales open as they dry.
- Deal with anything living inside. A low oven, around 100°C, for 30 to 45 minutes, on a foil-lined tray with a window open, does the job. Watch them the whole time, because resinous cones can scorch in seconds. Two days in the freezer works as well and is less nerve-racking.
- Clean off sap with a rag, warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, then dry thoroughly. Wet cones won't hold glue, paint or string.
Wear thin gloves while handling cones if your hands are sensitive to resin, and keep the drying tray out of reach of curious dogs.
Bird-friendly and practical makes
1. Seed-and-fat bird feeders
Tie a loop of garden twine around the top of the cone, then mix melted suet, lard or dripping with bird seed, oats and a few raisins. Press the mixture into the open scales with a knife, chill until set, and hang the feeder from a branch or bracket. Use unsalted fats only, and save this project for cold weather, as fat turns rancid in a warm spell. Wash your hands afterwards, and hang feeders where cats can't sit underneath.
2. Wax-dipped fire lighters
Melt the ends of old candles or a block of beeswax in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, dip each cone until coated, then roll it in wood shavings or cotton wool and leave to cool on baking paper. One cone, tucked under kindling, is enough to get a fire going in a wood burner or open grate. Melt wax over indirect heat, never over a naked flame, never leave it unattended, and never add petrol, methylated spirits or any other accelerant. These are for proper fireplaces only, not for indoor burners or barbecues.
Creatures and characters
3. Pine cone owl
Stand a cone upright so the stalk becomes the head end. Cut two small wings from felt or thick wool fabric and glue them to the sides, then add two circles of felt for eyes and a tiny triangle beak. A pair of button eyes works just as well if you have a tin of oddments. A row of three owls of different sizes makes a good shelf display, and children can manage the sticking with a little help.
4. Hedgehog and mouse
Lay a cone on its side and the scales already look like spines. For a hedgehog, mould a small pointed head from air-dry clay or salt dough, press it onto the stalk end and leave to harden before painting the nose black. For a mouse, use a wooden bead for the head and a length of garden twine for the tail, glued into the base. These sit happily on a windowsill and are sturdy enough to survive being played with.
Makes for the mantelpiece
5. Miniature cone trees
Paint cones green, or leave them natural and dust the tips with white paint to suggest frost. Stand each one on a milk bottle top, a wooden cotton reel or a blob of clay, then decorate with tiny beads or small dried berries. A cluster of five or six in different heights looks like a little woodland.
6. Garland or wreath
For a garland, tie each cone to a length of jute twine with a small loop, spacing them about 10cm apart, and hang it across a fireplace or shelf. For a wreath, bend a wire coat hanger into a circle or use a willow ring, then attach cones with fine garden wire, tucking in dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and a little dried foliage. Wire holds better than glue and lets you rearrange as you go.
Two for younger hands
7. Printing with cones
Cut a cone in half lengthways with a sturdy pair of scissors or secateurs and press the cut face into poster paint. The print looks like a small tree or a fan of fish scales, which makes it ideal for homemade cards and wrapping paper. Whole cones dipped in paint and rolled across paper give a softer, speckled texture. Cover the table first.
8. Scented cones
Brush cones lightly with PVA glue and roll them in a mixture of ground cinnamon and cloves, or add a few drops of essential oil to a jar, seal the cones inside for a week and shake occasionally. Either way, keep the finished cones out of reach of pets and small children, as some essential oils are harmful to cats and dogs, and never place scented cones directly on a radiator or near a naked flame.
Getting the most from a soggy Saturday
Keep a box of dried cones ready so a wet morning doesn't depend on a walk first. A lidded cardboard box lined with newspaper, stored somewhere dry, will keep a decent stash going all winter; check it now and then for damp patches.
Set up before you start: newspaper on the table, a damp cloth for sticky fingers, and everything you need within reach. Low-temperature glue guns are easier for adults to control around children, while PVA is slower but safer and dries clear. In a damp house, give glued pieces a full day somewhere airy rather than by a window, and store wax-coated items in a cool cupboard so they don't soften.
If the rain eases, a twenty-minute cone hunt between showers is part of the fun. Take a basket, wear gloves, stay off steep muddy paths, and leave more behind than you take. Then come home, put the kettle on, and let the afternoon take its own slow shape.
Photo: ulleo / Pixabay
